Brit's Top Military Man: Israel Showed the Power of F-35s

"Israel used more than 100 aircraft, carrying fewer than 100 munitions, and with no aircraft getting within 100 miles of the target in the first wave, and that took down nearly the entirety of Iran's air-defense system," Radakin said during a Royal United Services Institute lecture in London.

"It has destroyed Iran's ability to produce ballistic missiles for a year and left Tehran with a strategic dilemma in how it responds. That is the power of fifth-generation aircraft, combined with exquisite targeting and extraordinary intelligence," Radakin said.

"And that was all delivered from a single sortie."

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-06 05:34 PM | Reply

Which Countries Has The US Banned From Buying The F-35? (August 2024)
simpleflying.com

...
Summary

- - - US blocked Turkey from F-35 program for buying Russian S-400 SAM system, hinting at potential readmission if S-400s are given up.

- - - Gulf States like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar desire F-35s, facing approval challenges amid Israel's opposition and other regional tensions.

- - - Thailand denied US F-35 purchase due to training and technical issues, Taiwan interested but met with resistance over Chinese tensions and espionage fears.

The F-35 Lightning II is arguably the most advanced fighter jet on the international market (there are export restrictions on the F-22 Raptor).

The F-35 has been purchased by dozens of US allies worldwide, but the US does not just sell the jet to any country.

Some countries would like to purchase the F-35, but the United States has blocked the sales for various reasons (the countries below are not an exhaustive list).

The US is very protective of the F-35 fighter jet and does not want to see it compromised - although it does permit some countries to produce the F-35 locally under license. ...

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-06 06:20 PM | Reply

I think we're going to buy one!

#3 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-12-06 06:41 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

I'm jealous.

Been looking for a shortcut through Los Angeles's insane traffic for decades.

Helicopter would have shortened my commute time considerably!

#4 | Posted by ClownShack at 2024-12-06 06:46 PM | Reply

I wonder how much longer after January 20, 2025 Saudi Arabia will be denied purchase?

Maybe a couple billion more to Jared Kushner's fund might help move the deal along?

#5 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-06 06:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

The F-35 is a revolutionary aircraft. The closest comparison I can come up with is the transition from propeller-drive aircraft to jet engines.

I do a lot of work with partner-nation F-35 integration. I tell them that they are no longer fighter pilots. They are ISR pilots.

#6 | Posted by madbomber at 2024-12-08 06:01 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance pilots"

Obligatory:

www.youtube.com

#7 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 12:30 PM | Reply

Damned shame they're being used to back Bibi.

#8 | Posted by morris at 2024-12-08 12:52 PM | Reply

A positive F-35 thread? We've come so far from Russian propaganda on the front page and half the "liberals" buying into it wholesale.

#9 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-12-08 07:38 PM | Reply

A positive F-35 thread? We've come so far from Russian propaganda on the front page and half the "liberals" buying into it wholesale.

#10 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-12-08 07:38 PM | Reply

@#9 ... A positive F-35 thread? ...

You referring to things like this?

That jet the Marines lost? Taxpayers will pay $1.7 trillion for the F-35 program (2023)
www.cnn.com

... The military temporarily losing a fighter jet near Charleston, South Carolina, and asking the public to help find it is a plotline in which "Top Gun" (fighter jets) meets "The Hunt for Red October" (country can't find its weapons system).

But the larger story of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter is like tax dollars meet "The Blob" (unstoppable force consumes everything in its path). ...

Or this?

F-35 Stealth Fighters: Expensive & Obsolete! Is Elon Musk Shooting From The Hip Or Making A Subtle Point? (December 6, 2024)
www.eurasiantimes.com

... The world's richest person and President-elect Donald Trump's closest confidant, Elon Musk, thinks that the F-35, one of the US's most advanced stealth fighters, is "expensive, complex," and fast becoming "obsolete" in the age of drones. ...

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 07:50 PM | Reply

Good grief, that's a 7-minute video.

Why not just post a link to a text version that can be read in a few seconds?

ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance)
www.thefreedictionary.com

... An activity that synchronizes and integrates the planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems in direct support of current and future operations. This is an integrated intelligence and operations function.

Also called ISR.

Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.

#12 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 07:57 PM | Reply

You referring to things like this?

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 07:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

Nope. That's just a run of the mill flight accident and somebody who doesn't know anything about air combat talking about air combat.

#13 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-12-08 08:00 PM | Reply

@#13 ... Nope. ...

Then ... what was the purpose of your strafing run?

#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 08:27 PM | Reply

He likes to make sure we know he's The Expert... on everything.

Like he actually invented air combat and is the only thing stopping supposed liberal hypocrisy.

#15 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 09:56 PM | Reply

I DID appreciate MB's post on the jet tech, though.

#16 | Posted by Corky at 2024-12-08 09:57 PM | Reply

"See! It is worth it for the USA to go broke making planes with broken budgets for the sake of a tiny country" -Britain's top military officer

#17 | Posted by Brennnn at 2024-12-08 10:21 PM | Reply

Then ... what was the purpose of your strafing run?

#14 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-12-08 08:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

To tease Rcade for Russian agitprop on the front page that went on right up until Ukraine was invaded.

#18 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2024-12-09 08:44 AM | Reply